India French President

1. Crucial deals were signed and cooperative initiatives were announced during French President Macron’s recent state visit to India.
2. Sectors involved include defence, space exploration, civil aviation, science and technology, health, public administration, and urban development.
3. The agreements reflect strengthened ties and collaboration between India and France across diverse fields.

New Delhi, Jan 27: French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent state visit to India during the 75th Republic Day celebrations brought about significant developments and partnerships between the two nations across various sectors.

The visit resulted in the signing of crucial deals and the announcement of cooperative initiatives in areas ranging from defence and space exploration to health, public administration, and urban development.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the outcomes and key announcements:

Deals Signed:

Defence:

  1. Roadmap for India-France Defence Industrial Partnership: Enhancing collaboration in the defence sector.
  2. Letter of Intent on Defence Space Partnership: Strengthening cooperation in defence space technologies.

Space Exploration:

  1. Memorandum of Understanding between NSIL and Arianespace SAS: Collaboration in space exploration through NewSpace India Limited and Arianespace SAS.

Civil Aviation:

  1. Memorandum of Agreement between TASL and Airbus: Establishing an assembly line in India for H125 helicopters.

Science and Technology:

  1. Framework Cooperation Arrangement between DST, India, and INRAE, France: Promoting cooperation in science and technology.
  2. Framework Arrangement on Cooperation in Research Funding between DST, India, and ANR, France: Facilitating joint research projects.

Health:

  1. Declaration of Intent between Health Ministries: Enhancing collaboration in the field of health and medicine.

Public Administration and Administrative Reforms:

  1. Letter of Intent between Ministries: Cooperation in public administration and administrative reforms.

Sustainable Urban Development:

  1. Renewal of Agreement between Ministries: Continued collaboration in sustainable urban development.
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Key Announcements:

  1. India-France Year of Innovation (2026): Declaring 2026 as a year focused on fostering innovation between the two nations.
  2. UPI Operationalisation at Eiffel Tower: Implementing Unified Payment Interface (UPI) at the iconic Eiffel Tower.
  3. Solar Academy in Senegal: Establishing a Solar Academy under the STAR-C program of the International Solar Alliance.
  4. Consulate Establishment: Opening India’s Consulate in Marseille and a French Bureau de France in Hyderabad.
  5. Young Professional Scheme: Operationalising the Young Professional Scheme under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement.
  6. 5-year Validity Schengen Visa: Implementing a 5-year validity Schengen Visa for Indian Masters alumni of French institutions.
  7. Support for United Nations Ocean Conference: Extending support to France for organizing the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice in 2025.

Visit Highlights:

During the visit, President Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a roadshow in Jaipur, exploring various landmarks like the Amber Fort, Jantar Mantar, and Hawa Mahal.

In Delhi, President Macron visited the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah, further fostering cultural ties between India and France.

This comprehensive collaboration and announcements reaffirm the strong and multifaceted partnership between India and France, spanning strategic areas that contribute to mutual growth and development.